Hybrid car description/benefits
Hybrid cars currently available
Hybrids in development, Future technologies
Hybrid car owner comment
The one consumer decision most people make which impacts the greatest on the environment is the choice of car we drive.
Hybrid Cars offer drivers an innovative, efficient, and affordable option. After years of 'on the road' development, the new hybrids have become a practical choice for consumers.
Hybrid cars also gain efficiency from:
Regenerative braking - the electric motor that drives the hybrid can also slow the car. In this mode, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries while the car is slowing down.
Periodic engine shut off - when a hybrid car is stopped in traffic, the engine is temporarily shut off. It restarts automatically when put back into gear.
Advanced aerodynamics - to reduce drag
Low-rolling resistance (LLR) tires - narrow, stiffer tires have less drag
Lightweight materials - increases the efficiency of hybrid cars.
These gas-electric hybrid cars are now available in North America:
Honda Accord Hybrid
Nissan Altima
Toyota Prius
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Lexus 400h Hybrid SUV
Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV
Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV
Mazda Tribute compact SUV
HYBRID CARS IN THE NEWS
9 May 2008 - NY: Hybrid tax break
8 May 2008 - Start-up claims to convert any car into a hybrid
8 May 2008 - HI: Concerns over quiet hybrid cars
6 May 2008 - Coke, bottlers shift fleets to hybrid vehicles
6 May 2008 - OH: More people opting for hybrid cars
6 May 2008 - HI: HPD considers hybrid vehicles
5 May 2008 - NY: Are drivers making the switch to hybrid vehicles?
5 May 2008 - Do hybrid vehicles pose an EMF risk?
4 May 2008 - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hybrid
2 May 2008 - Hybrid cars are harder to hear, may pose risks for pedestrians
4 door/5 seat sedan
transmission: CVT automatic or manual
mileage (mpg): 47city/ 48 hwy
range per fillup: 650 miles
2007 Base Retail Price: $22,600 (US)
Full climate control, Micron air filtration
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC)
AM/FM/CD audio system w/ 6 speakers
Keyless Remote Entry
Dual-Stage Front and Dual Side Airbags
Anti-Theft Immobilizer
Rear window defroster w/ timer
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Available: Honda Satellite Linked Navigation
110-hp, 1.3 litre SOHC i-VTEC® Engine 4-Cylinder Engine with Integrated Motor Assist IMA®
Drive-By-Wire™ Throttle System
Electric Power Steering (EPS), variable-assist rack-and-pinion
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 13.2 gallons (52 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front disc/rear drum with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Tires: P185/70R14 LLR (low rolling-resistance) on 14" aluminum alloy wheels; All-Season Radials
4 door/5 seat midsize sedan
transmission: 5-speed automatic
mileage (mpg): 29 city/ 37 hwy
range per fillup: 600 miles (1000 km)
2007 Base Retail Price: $31,090 (US)
Unique hybrid air-conditioning system
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Grade logic control
Driver's seat 8-way power adjustment
Satellite-linked navigation system (optional)
Keyless Remote Entry
Dual-Stage Front Airbags, Side Curtain Airbags
Wave Key and Immobilizer System
XM® Satellite Radio (optional)
Leather seating
3.0-liter, 24-valve i-VTEC® V-6 engine coupled with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™)
240 horsepower at 6250rpm, 255 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 232 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm
Front-wheel drive. 5-speed automatic transmission
Electric Power Steering rack-and-pinion (EPS); 4-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front disc/solid rear disc with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Tires: P215/60 R16 16" Lightweight Alloy; All-Season Radials
* NOTE: 2007 is the last model year for the Honda Accord Hybrid.
4 door/5 seat sedan
transmission: CVT auto or 6-speed manual
mileage (mpg): 42 city/ 36 hwy
range per fillup (miles) : 840 city, 720 hwy
2007 Base Retail Price: $25,070 (US)
Air Conditioning, separate pass climate control
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic brake assistance
Vehicle stability control system, traction control
AM/FM Stereo/CD player
Keyless Remote Entry
Driver, passenger, side head curtain airbags
Anti-Theft Immobilizer
Tire inflation/pressure monitor
Trunk anti-trap device
2.5 liter I-4, and 3.5 liter V6 engines with 40-horsepower electric motor, delivering 199 lb-ft of torque
Horsepower: 158 hp @ 5200rpm for 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 198 hp for 3.5-liter engine
6-speed manual transmission; automatic transmisson also available
Aluminum alloy body, front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 20 gallons (75 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Tires: 215/60 R16 16" Lightweight Alloy; All-Season Radials
4 door/5 seat sedan w/ liftback
transmission: CVT automatic
mileage (mpg): 46 combined city/hwy
range per fillup: 547 miles
2007 Base Retail Price: $20,950 (US)
Full climate control, CFC-Free Air Conditioning
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Central instrument display, LCD energy monitor
Deluxe AM/FM ETR/Cassette with 4 speakers
Backup camera
Smart Key System
Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System
MP3/WMA playback capability
Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer
Bluetooth wireless technology
1.5 litre DOHC 16-valve, 4 cylinder gas engine; 33 kW/44 hp @ 1,040 - 5,600rpm electric motor
Horsepower: 110 (gas-electric combined)
Conventional steel body, front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 11.9 gallons (46 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front disc/rear drum with standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Tires: Regular (not LRR) 15” tires - 185 / 65 R15; All-Season Radials
4 door/5 seat midsize sedan
transmission: CVT automatic
mileage (mpg): 33 city/34 hwy
range per fillup: 585 miles
2007 Base Retail Price: $25,200 (US)
Curtain side and driver's knee air bags
Anti-skid traction control
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Tire-pressure monitor system
JBL audio system with Bluetooth technology
Keyless entry/starting system
PlasmaclusterTM ionizer cabin air purifier
“ECO” button limits HVAC energy consumption
Heated outside rear-view mirrors
GPS navigation unit (optional)
Twin cam, 2.4L four-cylinder 2AZ-FXE Atkinson-cycle engine, which generates 147 hp
Horsepower: 192 net (gas-electric combined)
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT)
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 17.2 gallons (63 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes with standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Tires: Regular (not LRR) 16" All-Season Radials - 215/60
4 door/5 seat SUV
transmission: CVT automatic
mileage (city/hwy): 2wd 34/30 | 4wd 29/27
range per fillup: 435 - 510 miles
2007 Base Retail Price: $26,265 (2WD)
Manual Air Conditioning
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Roof rack with 2 horizontal bars
Power windows and mirrors, door locks
AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD system
Keyless Remote Entry
Driver and front passenger airbag system
Side air curtains, rollover sensor, front side airbags
Perimeter alarm
Variable intermittent wipers
2.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine, combined with a 65-kilowatt electric motor
Horsepower: 155 (gas-electric combined)
Steering: Rack-and-pinion with electric power assist
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 15 gallons (60 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated 4-wheel disc with ABS and integrated regenerative braking
Tires: P235/70R16 A/S BSW tires; All-Season Radials, Hybrid-unique 16" aluminum wheels
4 door/5 seat SUV
transmission: ECVT automatic
mileage (mpg): 32city/ 27hwy
range per fillup: 450 - 530 miles
2007 Base Retail Price: $41,180
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Lexus 8-speaker sound system, 6-disk CD
Power tilt and slide moon roof
Transceiver to operate garage doors, lights
Part-time all-wheel drive (AWD)
Voice activated navigation system
Available rear-seat entertainment system
Lexus Memory System for mirrors, seat, wheel
In-key remote entry system
Accessory power outlet in cargo area
3.3-liter V6 engine; front and rear high-output, permanent-magnet electric-drive motors
Horsepower: 268 total system horsepower
Steering: Rack-and-pinion with electric power assist
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 17.2 gallons (65 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: Four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes with regenerative function
Wheels/Tires: 18-in alloy wheels with 235/55VR18 all-season tires
4 door/5 seat SUV
transmission: ECVT automatic
mileage (city/hwy): 2wd 33/28 | 4wd 31/27
range per fillup: 450 - 550 miles
2007 Base Retail Price: $32,490
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade
Roof Rack System
Variable intermittent windshield wipers
Remote keyless entry
Driver and passenger Advanced Airbag System
CFC-free automatic digital climate control system
Color-keyed heated foldable power outside mirrors
4-Wheel Drive with intelligence (4WD-i) (optional)
HomeLink®5 universal transceiver
Second-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags
3.3-liter double overhead cam V6 gas motor; torque @ rpm: 212 @ 4400 (foot/pounds)
Horsepower: 268 total system horsepower
Steering: Electronic power steering (EPS) - rack-and-pinion with power assist
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 17.2 gallons (65 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: Electronically controlled braking system with ABS and electronic brake distribution
Wheels/Tires: 17-in. split 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P225/65R17 all-season tires
4 door/5 seat SUV (available 2x4, 4x4)
transmission: ECVT automatic
mileage (city/hwy): 34/30 | 4wd 29/27
range per fillup: 400 - 510 miles
2008 MSRP: 2wd: $20,920 4wd: $28,705
Front dual reclining bucket seats
Rear and side privacy glass
AM/FM radio, 6-Disc CD changer, MP3 player
Remote keyless entry via key fob and door pad
Anti-Theft SecuriLock engine immobilizer
Automatic climate control system
Dual foldable power external rearview mirrors
Side guard door beams; Crash sensors
Driver/passenger airbags w/ dual-stage deployment
Front and rear side head curtain airbags
2.3-liter I-4 Atkinson cycle engine, 133hp @ 6000rpm & electric motor 94hp @ 5000rpm
Horsepower: 155 total system horsepower
Steering: Electronic power steering (EPS) - rack-and-pinion with power assist
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 15 gallons (57 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, regenerative braking system
Wheels/Tires: 16-in x 7-in alloy wheels with SBRP235/70TR16 BSW all-season tires
4 door/5 seat SUV (available 2x4, 4x4)
transmission: 4-speed auto; 5-speed manual
mileage (city/hwy): 29/34
range per fillup: 464 - 544 miles
2008 MSRP: fwd: $20,315 4wd: $22,065
Folding 60/40 rear seats w/ removable cushions
Rear and side privacy glass
AM/FM radio, CD with 4 speakers
Remote keyless entry via key fob and door pad
Anti-Theft SecuriLock engine immobilizer
Tire pressure monitoring system
Heated door mirrors
Rollover Stability Control (RSC)
Driver/passenger airbags w/ dual-stage deployment
Side curtain airbags for first and second rows
2.3-liter I-4 Atkinson cycle engine, 153hp @ 5800rpm & electric motor 94hp @ 5000rpm
Horsepower: 155 total system horsepower
Steering: Electronic power steering (EPS) - rack-and-pinion with power assist
Fuel Capacity/Type Required: 16 gallons (62 liters) / Regular Unleaded
Brakes: 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes,Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD)
Wheels/Tires: 16-in x 7-in aluminum alloy wheels with 235/70R16 all season T-rated tires
Automakers are now developing new hybrid models at a rapid pace. Here's a look at hybrid cars under development, and 'best estimate' dates for availablity to the consumer market:
Saturn Vue Green Line - GM crossover sports utility hybrid
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid - midsize sedan
Ford Fusion - new sedan model
Mercury Milan - new sedan model
Toyota '2009 Next Generation Prius' - to be released in 2008
Toyota A-BAT - hybrid pickup (concept stage) to be introduced
cancelled models:
2007 Honda Accord - this is the last model year for the Accord Hybrid
2006 Honda Insight - the Insight line ends with the 2006 model
Cadillac Escalade - full-size sport utility vehicle
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
Honda Global Hybrid - a new model of the hybrid Civic at a lower price
Mercury Montego - fullsize sedan
Porsche - hybrid Cayenne SUV, the first hybrid car from Porsche
Chevrolet Volt - plug-in hybrid
Howstuffworks.com provides detailed information about how hybrid cars work.
Electric Drive Transportation Association
Information about electric vehicles, events, emissions, environmental impacts and more.
The US Office of Transportation Technologies Information about alternative fuel, hybrids and advanced transportation technologies.
Buyers Guide for Hybrid Cars offers current price comparisons.
FuelEconomy.gov - side by side comparisons
About.com - guidance in choosing a hybrid
Fuel-Efficient Driving - You can boost the overall fuel-efficiency of your car as much as 30% by simple vehicle maintenance and attention to your style of driving.
eartheasy
Advertise on this page
Sign up for Eartheasy's free email newsletter.
Want
to see What's New on
Eartheasy?
Hybrid Cars
Eartheasy.com © 2000-2008
Last update: 9 May 2008
